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New NMAA bylaw designed to curtail “egregious acts of unsportsmanlike conduct” by teams and/or spectators.

Fans, students and coaches involved in high school activities have officially been put on notice to be on good behavior.

According to the New Mexico Activities Association, nearly 80 percent of member schools voted in favor of an updated bylaw that “specifies the possibility of suspension of a team/fan from athletic activities for Unsportsmanlike Conduct” for two or more “egregious acts.”

“We are glad to see our member schools approve this updated bylaw which coincides with our Compete with Class initiative and hope this will help eliminate much of the growing bad behavior,” NMAA executive director Sally Marquez said in a news release.

Belen Consolidated Schools and Los Lunas Schools both voted in favor.

“If this will help people be kinder, gentler, more gracious to officials and other teams than we’re all for it,” Belen Consolidated Schools Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez commented before the vote.

Wilson Holland, LLS director of athletics, previously said, there can be problems when Los Lunas and Valencia teams go on the road.

“Some student sections’ behavior is unacceptable — that’s why the NMAA has to take action,” Holland said.

The NMAA will explain bylaw guidelines and expectations in the coming weeks.

“The subject will be discussed at our annual athletic director’s meeting later this summer (July) and it will be a topic addressed in our preseason video that all student athletes and coaches are required to watch,” explained J.P. Murrieta, NMAA sports information director.

Parents usually view the video during mandatory preseason meetings with coaches. Murrieta said bad behavior has increased in recent years.

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Mike Powers | News-Bulletin Sports Writer
505-823-7806 | [email protected]

Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.